City police were called to the dog beach area for dog problems 10 times between June 1 and Sept. 12, according to the city. One of the calls was for a lost dog, one was a barking complaint, and eight calls were for dogs at large and off leash.
Responding to concerns that dogs were defecating in the lake, the city also tested the water near the dog beach for E. coli, finding over the course of 11 tests that the dogs did not appear to be elevating bacteria levels in the water. A popular swimming beach on the lake, meanwhile, was also tested for E. coli over the summer, and test results there resulted in an advisory warning posted once and a beach closure.
The City Council may vote at its next meeting on March 11 whether or not to keep the dog beach open.
City resident Gene Peterson said a compromise should be considered: move it down the lakeshore to an area closer to Manitou Island, on the other side of the boat launch.
“It’s a win-win rather than a win-lose,” he said.
Mayor Louismet said that, whatever is decided, it should be the final word on the issue after years of debate.
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